At age 29, Joe Biden was elected to the US Senate and has had an impressive 44-year-long career in the federal government. In the CBS This Morning series “Note to Self,” Biden reflects on his life and career as he pens a letter to his 12-year-old self.

He recounts as his mom said to him that, “Bravery resides in every heart, and yours is fierce and clear.” He recalls that his father advised, “when you get knocked down, get up, get up,” and acknowledges that his parents’ words helped shape the man he has become.

He writes how working together with President Obama helped prove that “change is hard but necessary; progress is never easy but always possible.”

You can see the Vice President read his letter in its entirety in the segment below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_mgfW8xDUMg